Send Direct Messages in ClickUp
Direct messages in ClickUp let you communicate quickly with team members without leaving your workspace. This guide explains how to send, receive, and manage direct messages using Inbox so you can keep conversations organized and easy to find.
What are direct messages in ClickUp?
Direct messages are private conversations between you and one or more people in your Workspace. They are part of the Inbox area and work alongside notifications and other communication tools.
With direct messages you can:
- Chat privately with a single person or a small group.
- Keep discussions separate from tasks and docs.
- Reply to people without creating new tasks.
- Stay aligned with your team inside the same platform.
You cannot send direct messages to guests or people outside your Workspace. Messages are limited to members and admins only.
Requirements for using ClickUp direct messages
Before sending a direct message, make sure you meet these requirements:
- You must be a member or admin in the Workspace.
- You must be logged into your account.
- You need access to Inbox in the left sidebar.
Guests do not have access to direct messages. If you need to communicate with a guest, use comments on tasks or other approved channels instead.
Access Inbox to send ClickUp direct messages
All direct messages live in the Inbox section. To open it:
- From any view, look at the left sidebar.
- Click Inbox.
Inside Inbox you will see:
- Direct Messages in the left panel.
- List of people or conversations you have already messaged.
- The main chat area where messages appear.
Inbox is the central place where you can find both notifications and direct conversations.
How to start a new ClickUp direct message
Use these steps to send a new message to someone in your Workspace:
- Open Inbox from the left sidebar.
- In the left panel, locate the Direct Messages section.
- Click the + New or similar button to start a conversation, if available, or select a person from the people list to open a thread.
- Type your message in the text field at the bottom of the chat.
- Press Enter or click the send icon to deliver your message.
If the person does not yet appear in Direct Messages, start a conversation from their avatar wherever it is shown in the workspace, if that option is available in your interface.
Send a direct message to a single person in ClickUp
You can start a one‑to‑one conversation in several ways, depending on where you are working.
Send from Inbox
- Open Inbox.
- In the Direct Messages list, search for the person’s name.
- Click their name to open the conversation.
- Type your message and send.
Send from the person’s profile or avatar
When you see a user’s avatar or name in the interface, you may be able to start a conversation from there.
- Locate the person’s avatar in a task, comment, or sidebar.
- Click the avatar to open options.
- Select the option to message or open a conversation, if available.
- Type your message in the chat box that appears.
- Send the message.
The new conversation will also appear in the Direct Messages section of Inbox.
Send a group direct message in ClickUp
Group direct messages let you talk with several people in one thread.
- Open Inbox.
- In Direct Messages, look for an option to create a new group or add people to a conversation.
- Select two or more members from your Workspace.
- Name the group if prompted, or keep the default name based on participants.
- Type your message and send.
Everyone in the group will see messages in the same thread. Each person can read and reply as needed.
Reply to direct messages in ClickUp
When someone sends you a direct message, it will appear in Inbox. To reply:
- Click Inbox in the left sidebar.
- Select the conversation under Direct Messages.
- Review the latest messages in the chat window.
- Type your reply in the text area at the bottom.
- Press Enter or click the send icon.
Replies are added to the same thread, making it easy to follow the full conversation history.
Manage and organize ClickUp direct messages
To keep conversations manageable, use these practices when working with direct messages:
- Pin important conversations: Keep high‑priority people or groups near the top of your Direct Messages list when pin options are available.
- Mute less urgent chats: If you receive too many notifications, mute specific threads so you can focus on important work.
- Use clear message titles when possible: If your interface allows naming group conversations, use descriptive names so everyone knows the purpose.
Organized conversations help your team respond faster and reduce confusion.
Best practices for ClickUp direct messaging
To get the most from direct messages:
- Use direct messages for quick questions and clarifications.
- Move detailed work to tasks or docs so information does not get lost.
- Keep conversations professional and focused on work.
- Use @mentions inside other areas of the platform when you need to link direct messages to specific work items, if supported.
Balancing chat with structured tasks keeps your workspace efficient and easy to navigate.
Learn more about ClickUp direct messages
For the full official documentation about sending messages, visit the original help article: Send a direct message.
If you want broader workflow and productivity guidance that complements your use of ClickUp, you can explore additional resources at Consultevo.
Troubleshooting ClickUp direct messaging
If you run into issues with direct messages, check these points:
- You cannot find Inbox: Confirm that you are using a Workspace that supports Inbox and you have the correct permissions.
- You cannot message a person: Make sure they are a member or admin, not a guest.
- Messages are not updating: Refresh your browser or desktop app and check your internet connection.
If problems continue, review the help center or contact support from inside the platform.
Summary
Direct messages in ClickUp keep communication close to your work. Open Inbox, choose a person or group, type your message, and send. With clear organization and simple steps, you can manage conversations, stay aligned with your team, and keep every message in the same place as your tasks and projects.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
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